Calendar

A Closer Look at the Interesting Tanto Blade Design

Sharpen-Up.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

This almost tactical element remains a core use of the tanto blade today, with the knife being highly functional in design in present day North America.

You can also find modern decorative examples of the tanto knife, more in line with the connection that they have to their samurai past.

The Tanto Blade Design

Let’s examine that short blade, tanto design in a little more detail.

As a tradition Japanese short sword or dagger, the blade rarely measures anything more than 6 to 12 inches in length.

The most distinctive feature of the blade is that it has two bevels. A short more vertical bevel can be found at the front, with a longer, straight bevel travelling towards the hilt.

As manufacturers adopted the design in the U.S.A, production veered towards the single edge bevel blade due to user demand. Modern knife enthusiasts seem to prefer it.

The Different Styles of Tanto Blade Available

Due to the long history of the tanto knife and the way the design has been adopted by different audiences over the years, there are, understandably many variations you can potentially get your hands on.

The following are the a small selection of the types of tanto you can buy:

The Kanmuri-Otoshi Blade

It is forged with a long and wide groove running half way up the front to back, with half of the blade being kept unsharpened on the second edge.

The Moroha

The Moroha is an extremely rare tanto that also utilizes a double edge design.

Here the blade tapers off to a longer point than you’ll find on any other tanto. The blade also features a diamond shape cross section.

The Shinogi

The Shinogi is another rare Tanto design type. This is the type of tanto that was made after a long sword was broken. Rather than throw away the blade altogether, it would be recycled into this single edge tanto blade.

The Hira

One of the most most common Tanto blade styles you are likely to come across is the Hira.

This utilizes a triangular cross section where the edge bevels stretch from the back to the edges without any flat points in between.

Many modern day tactical tanto knives opt for this design and they have prove very popular indeed.

Advantages of the tanto knife

One of the reasons the tanto has existed so long is due to the many functions it has. This is a versatile short blade knife.

The comparably large amount of metal on the front end, along with the beveled tip lead to a greater level of penetration, (which is why it was used as a self-defense tool for the samurai and now for modern day, tactical situations.)

As a combat knife in the field, or even a survival knife the tanto really does have its benefits.

The Disadvantages

Image Credit: Gerbergear.com

The biggest disadvantage of the tanto knife is that it is relatively difficult to sharpen.

With two primary bevels you do have your work cut out for you if you are inexperienced in this department, (or need to touch up your tool while in the field.)

They are also quite limited when it comes to slicing. You can use it as a slicing tool, but standard, survival knife designs are more efficient.

Final Words

Overall the tanto is an interesting knife design with a long history. The early versions (if you can find one) are decorative in design and of high value. You may also want to look into making one, Youtube has a few good video guides on the subject.

Or you can simply opt for one of the modern day tanto designs for your tactical needs. Either way, if you haven’t done so already, the tanto will make a worthwhile addition to your knife collection in whatever form it may take.

Disclaimer

Sharpen-up.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

Subscribe to Sharpen-Up

Enter your email address to subscribe to SU and receive notifications of new posts by email.